Just got some new 240v LED lights delivered for my variac mod. Just wanted a couple of notification lamps fitting to the top for a better indication of it's status.
Looks good, simple but effective. I'm in the process of building a little control box that features an off-on contactor, input & output voltage & current displays and power status lights.
I did a similar mod to mine, except I added a 12v circuit running a relay that switched on the variac, activated by a keyswitch. When the variac was live, a red light came on, when it wasn't active but mains was being inputted, the green light was on. I always unplug before I worked on it anyway but it was nice to have. Good work.
Indeed. Mine is an open type variac so I had to build a little enclosure for it anyway so thought I might as well do that while I was on since I had the space to put all of that in. I had a ballast in there too. No problem! Keep up the good work.
That looks cool john! Nice job there matey. That green light is a nice green! The new ones now are LEDS then? As iv got some old ones nocking about! Thanx john for sharing ;-) BIG THUMBS UP*
Regarding the RCD grounding, since the output from variac is mains earth referenced (autotransformers do not provide isolation) and therefore is not floating, I feel it would be more logical to have the RCD ground permanently connected to mains earth. Nevertheless, excellent work!
Interesting idea with the lights, BUT..... I wouldn't rely on them, just in case they failed. Before I work on anything, I always make sure that the dial on my variac is on zero, the switch on the front is OFF, AND ALSO I disconnect the plug from the output to ensure a physical break. Switches & indicator lamps should never be relied upon too much....Lamps can fail, & if somone or something accidentally knocked-on a switch.....ZAP! Also, is your variac a 10A puppy just like my one? :-D -BBD.
Aaaw. Only 8A? It looks the same size as mine. Maybe the lump inside the case is smaller perhaps? LMAO! 35A? :-D Really? So er...for how long? Let's be honest here, an 8A variac belting out 35A won't be able to do that for too long before the windings in there get a bit warm, with the risk of popping the brush. Also, how long have you owned that unit, & have you had the case off it recently to check the brush & windings? My 10A one does a reasonable hum when loaded with 3kW (12.5A) :-D -BBD.
Hi, very nice mod ! Can you give me the link to the green and red led lights ? Also, what's the brand of the alligator clips that you use with your variac ?
+SmiloDTech Hi mate.. I can't remember where exactly I bought the lights from BUT it was somewhere on Ebay UK.. If you just do a search for "240v pilot panel indicator lamp". That will get you loads of results :) The large alligator clips are either made by Pomona or Hirschmann. Cheers John
Looks good, simple but effective. I'm in the process of building a little control box that features an off-on contactor, input & output voltage & current displays and power status lights.
I did a similar mod to mine, except I added a 12v circuit running a relay that switched on the variac, activated by a keyswitch. When the variac was live, a red light came on, when it wasn't active but mains was being inputted, the green light was on. I always unplug before I worked on it anyway but it was nice to have. Good work.
Indeed. Mine is an open type variac so I had to build a little enclosure for it anyway so thought I might as well do that while I was on since I had the space to put all of that in. I had a ballast in there too.
No problem! Keep up the good work.
That looks cool john! Nice job there matey. That green light is a nice green! The new ones now are LEDS then? As iv got some old ones nocking about!
Thanx john for sharing ;-)
BIG THUMBS UP*
Great idea, simple and effective
Regarding the RCD grounding, since the output from variac is mains earth referenced (autotransformers do not provide isolation) and therefore is not floating, I feel it would be more logical to have the RCD ground permanently connected to mains earth. Nevertheless, excellent work!
Interesting idea with the lights, BUT.....
I wouldn't rely on them, just in case they failed. Before I work on anything, I always make sure that the dial on my variac is on zero, the switch on the front is OFF, AND ALSO I disconnect the plug from the output to ensure a physical break.
Switches & indicator lamps should never be relied upon too much....Lamps can fail, & if somone or something accidentally knocked-on a switch.....ZAP!
Also, is your variac a 10A puppy just like my one? :-D
-BBD.
Aaaw. Only 8A? It looks the same size as mine. Maybe the lump inside the case is smaller perhaps?
LMAO! 35A? :-D Really? So er...for how long? Let's be honest here, an 8A variac belting out 35A won't be able to do that for too long before the windings in there get a bit warm, with the risk of popping the brush. Also, how long have you owned that unit, & have you had the case off it recently to check the brush & windings?
My 10A one does a reasonable hum when loaded with 3kW (12.5A) :-D
-BBD.
Hi, very nice mod ! Can you give me the link to the green and red led lights ?
Also, what's the brand of the alligator clips that you use with your variac ?
+SmiloDTech Hi mate.. I can't remember where exactly I bought the lights from BUT it was somewhere on Ebay UK.. If you just do a search for "240v pilot panel indicator lamp". That will get you loads of results :)
The large alligator clips are either made by Pomona or Hirschmann.
Cheers
John
***** Thank you :-)
An RCD probably doesn't like a varying voltage output